Retired LAPD deputy chief hired as public safety director

NORWALK – The City of Norwalk made immediate efforts to recruit a replacement for former Director of Public Safety, Grissel Chavez, who has moved on to a position with the City of Bell Gardens.

Former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Deputy Chief Dennis Kato is the new Interim Director of Public Safety. He officially commenced with the city on May 13.

The Public Safety Department is an essential service provided by the city, so an immediate replacement was crucial, which lead to the recruitment of Mr. Kato. He brings with him 32 years of veteran experience with the LAPD.

He has worked a variety of assignments such as patrol, gangs, vice, narcotics, burglaries, major assault crimes, and Asian Crimes homicides. He has supervised law enforcement personnel for over 19 years and has been a command officer (captain and above) for over 11 years.

As a Deputy Chief, Mr. Kato oversaw a workforce of approximately 1,500 officers and 500 civilian personnel.

Norwalk Mayor Jennifer Perez stated, “We are grateful for the work performed by Grissel Chavez, our former Director. She was instrumental in the many efforts performed by the department, including work in combatting homelessness in Norwalk.

As a result, it is important that the City recruit a replacement that will be ready to run the Department and hit the ground running from day one. Mr. Kato has both extensive leadership skills and experience in community policing to continue the work that had been done by the Department of Public Safety while the City seeks a permanent replacement for director.”

As the new Interim Director of Public Safety, Mr. Kato now leads and manages day-to-day operations of the Norwalk Public Safety Department and its staff of 52 employees.

Dennis Kato expressed his enthusiasm for the new task when he stated, “I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity. My experience with the LAPD along with my training has provided me with the foundation to lead the many efforts here and to expand on the duties of community policing efforts for Norwalk’s growing community.”

Mr. Kato has dealt with many intense policing efforts including several experiences of community unrest during his tenure with the LAPD and this has molded and shaped his view of policing and solidified his commitment to the tenets of community policing. This involves fostering trust between the police and the community, while aligning policies with community values and prioritizing community engagement.

The City of Norwalk’s Department of Public Safety was established in March of 1989 and has since evolved into a model for other cities and law enforcement agencies throughout the nation.

The Department was created with the intention of establishing the concept of community-based law enforcement services. The City’s goal was to find effective solutions to neighborhood concerns of crime, gang activity, juvenile delinquency, narcotics activity, vandalism, and in general the “quality of life” issues in the Norwalk community. The Department regularly resolves many neighborhood issues before they require a law enforcement response through a unique and progressive mix of services, inter-agency partnerships, and community support and cooperation.